Grayson-Jockey Club Research receives donation from promotion at Indiana Grand

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Sept. 28, 2020) – Indiana Grand Racing & Casino recently participated in a unique promotion to assist Grayson-Jockey Club Research. As a result, a check for $3,968.40 was presented to the not-for-profit organization from the “Grayson Grass Challenge” held at Indiana Grand.

A total of $2,500 was allotted for five handicappers to make wagers on two turf races per week over a five-week span. Known as the “Grayson Grass Challenge,” all proceeds from the wagers were donated to the not-for-profit organization based out of Lexington, Ky. Of the wagers placed, a total of $1,468.40 was accumulated and Indiana Grand wanted to sweeten the pot, adding an additional $2,500, bringing the final tally up to $3,968.40.

Handicappers who donated their time to the cause for the “Grayson Grass Challenge” included Ellis Starr, national racing analyst for Equibase, Dan Tordjman of America’s Best Racing, Gabe Prewitt, announcer for Pompano Park and The Red Mile and recently appointed director of racing for Caesars Entertainment, Nick Luck, English racing broadcaster, and Indiana Grand’s broadcast team of Rachel McLaughlin, Bill Downes and Nancy Holthus, who rotated in weekly for the challenge. Luck brought in the largest amount of winnings for cause with a total of $1,319.00.

Jamie Haydon, president of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, was on hand for presentation. Mike Rich, senior vice president and general manager and Eric Halstrom, vice president and general manager of racing, made the special winner’s circle presentation to Haydon Wednesday, Sept. 23 during the racing program at Indiana Grand.

“Giving back to the racing industry is important to us, and the Grayson Grass Challenge was an opportunity for us to get involved in an ‘out of the box’ way of helping out,” said Halstrom. “The promotion added a little fun and incorporated some nationally known handicappers into our racing program. It generated a lot of awareness for Grayson’s mission, which was our goal.”

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation was founded in 1940 in honor of Admiral Cary Grayson, best known as the physician for President Woodrow Wilson. Grayson was also involved in horse racing and was the base of several formulative stages leading to equine research. Grayson Foundation joined forces with The Jockey Club in 2006 and to date, the organization has provided more than $29.1 million to fund 384 projects at 45 universities around the world.

“The timing is perfect for this donation as the deadline for equine research projects is October 1,” said Haydon. “We have a team of veterinarians and academic leaders that make recommendations and will have 23 grants go out this year for a total of $1.3 million. This donation goes directly to equine research funds and will impact all the racehorses we love.”

Photo by Coady Photography

Caption, from left, Mike Rich, senior vice president and general manager, Jamie Haydon, president of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, Rachel McLaughlin, on-air racing analyst and Eric Halstrom, vice president and general manager of racing. Photo by Coady Photography